Experts Weigh In on Inclusivity in Travel

Travelling can be a way of opening your mind to new experiences, exploring the roots of your own culture – or learning about another culture, finding yourself and taking a break to avoid burnout. Travel has also been shown to increase your self-esteem, decrease stress and anxiety, boost creativity and increase brain functioning. However, travelling to a completely different environment can come with its own risks and stressors – for LGBTQ+ considering safety, legal protections and risk of discrimination are common factors influencing where and when they travel, and how comfortable they feel when they do.

This week on Wednesday 27^th July, myGwork is bringing together a panel of experts from across the travel and hospitality industries to weigh in on how they can push forward to create inclusivity within travel and protect their LGBTQ+ travellers around the world.

Included in the renowned speakers is Duncan Greenfield-Turk, Chief Travel Designer at Global Travel Moments. Duncan is a Private Travel Designer who curates bespoke, personal, and one-of-a-kind adventures for his clients, and has a wealth of experience LGBTQ+ professionals create moments that matter, by providing worry and hassle-free travel planning and advice. Inclusive travel is incredibly important to him both professionally, and personally, as he explains: “I believe that everyone no matter their sexuality or gender expression deserves the same opportunity to experience the world and enjoy moments that matter.”

Joining Duncan is William Attwell, Associate Director, Sustainable Finance (Climate Risk) at Fitch Ratings. Sustainability is integral in the discussions of the future of travel and William will add to the conversation around how we can ensure it is an industry prioritizing both people and the planet.

The panel is proudly sponsored by Booking.com, whose latest initiative Travel Proud is leading the way in how organizations can proactively create change across their industry. Travel Proud is on a mission to transform travel for the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring that everyone, no matter their identity, can revel in the experience of exploring the globe.

Robyn Ellis, Global Manager of Leadership and Delivery at Booking.com explained what the project means to her and the team: “We want to make sure that everyone has the chance to explore the world safely. The key tenet and the absolute heart of the Travel Proud program is education. It’s about saying what are the practical tools and knowledge that you really need as partners to enable our customers to experience the world safely with you?”

This conversation will be a key part of the journey towards accessible, inclusive and sustainable travel. Travel is a tool of self-exploration, a way of improving mental health, expanding creativity, and should be available for everyone with a taste for adventure.

The LGBTQ+ Travel: Why Inclusion Matters panel is free to attend and online, hosted by myGwork. Sign up now to join on Wednesday 27^th July at 4:00pm BST.